From emerge magazine - issue 01, pick your palette
Daring yet undeniably uplifting, golden yellow brings a fresh energy contrasted with favourite Resene neutrals.
Take a chance with bold hues and patterns, like this space, with stripes painted in Resene Pizza and Resene Sugar Loaf, left wall and pillar in Resene Sugar Loaf, tongue-and-groove panel in Resene Pizza, flooring in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy, floor vase in Resene Half Hairy Heath and bowl in Resene Spitfire. Chair, coffee table and ottoman from Soren Liv, rug from Nodi, lamp from Lighting Plus.
Take a chance with bold hues and patterns, like this space, with stripes painted in Resene Pizza and Resene Sugar Loaf, left wall and pillar in Resene Sugar Loaf, tongue-and-groove panel in Resene Pizza, flooring in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy, floor vase in Resene Half Hairy Heath and bowl in Resene Spitfire. Chair, coffee table and ottoman from Soren Liv, rug from Nodi, lamp from Lighting Plus.
Bold choices can be surprisingly timeless. Whether used in crisp stripes or layered with texture, it radiates warmth and optimism – perfect for both homes and commercial spaces.
Meanwhile, deep maroons paired with striking blue or yellow accents create a dynamic contrast, offering a rich and unexpected twist on classic colour pairings.
Taking a chance with colour leads to the most exciting spaces. Team the earthy clay tones of Resene Half Hairy Heath with the refreshing sky blue of Resene Malibu for an effortless blend of warmth and lightness. Meanwhile, a chequered floor sets the stage for a mix of other unexpected elements – red leather, dried florals and rustic textures.
These bold yet balanced pairings celebrate creativity and stepping outside the expected where true style is found.
top tip For crisp, clean lines when painting stripes or colour blocking, use high-quality painter’s tape. Once the tape is in place, lightly seal the edges with the base colour to prevent bleeding. Once dry, apply your topcoats.
Be bold while maintaining a cohesive look through colour. This back wall is painted in Resene Scoria, chequered floor in Resene Tenor and Resene Dover White, bench in Resene Zorba, floor vases in (left) Resene Leather and Resene Quarter Tea and bowl on bench in Resene Quarter Tea. Chair and lamp from Soren Liv.
Bold hues make this dining space intimate and fun. The back wall and pillar are in Resene Spitfire, floor in Resene Sugar Loaf, vase in Resene Dark Knight and artwork in Resene Breeze, Resene Malibu and Resene Pizza. Table and chairs from Soren Liv.
Take a chance and combine colours that you wouldn’t think pair together. This back wall is painted in Resene Breeze, left wall in Resene Sugar Loaf and accented planter in Resene Half Hairy Heath. Couch and side table from Soren Liv.
Drawdown paint swatches and testpots (from top) – Resene Dark Knight, Resene Malibu, Resene Sugar Loaf, Resene Breeze, Resene Half Duck Egg Blue, Resene Pizza, Resene Spitfire, and Resene Half Hairy Heath.
Colours and products mentioned in this article
Testpot colours and products marked as "buy in-store" may not yet be available in our online ColorShop, however, they can be purchased at your local Resene ColorShop or reseller.
Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy
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Decorating and design trends 2026 - your guide to evolving hues
emerge magazine, issue 01 | pick your palettte